Cited by 108Electromagnetic Fields and Biological EffectsCircadian rhythm and melatoninIonosphere and magnetosphere dynamics

Geomagnetic Storms: Association with Incidence of Depression as Measured by Hospital Admission

Kay, Ronald W.·1994·British Journal of Psychiatry

Abstract

The hypothesis that geomagnetic storms may partly account for the seasonal variation in the incidence of depression, by acting as a precipitant of depressive illness in susceptible individuals, is supported by a statistically significant 36.2% increase in male hospital admissions with a diagnosis of depressed phase, manic-depressive illness in the second week following such storms compared with geomagnetically quiet control periods. There is a smaller but not statistically significant increase in female psychotic depression and non-psychotic depression admissions following storms. There was no correlation between geomagnetic storm levels and number of male admissions with psychotic depression, which is consistent with a threshold event affecting predisposed individuals. Phase advance in pineal circadian rhythms of melatonin synthesis may be a possible mechanism of causation or be present as a consequence of 5-hydroxytryptamine and adrenergic system dysfunction associated with geomagnetic disturbance. Effects on cell membrane permeability, calcium channel activity and retinal magneto-receptors are suggested as possible underlying biochemical mechanisms.

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Crossref · 10.1192/bjp.164.3.403

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Authors
Kay, R. W.
Corresponding author
Kay, Ronald W.
Venue
British Journal of Psychiatry
Published
1994-03
Volume
164
Issue
3
Pages
403-409
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
OpenAlex
W2004193031
Cited by
108
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
FWCI
1.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Electromagnetic Fields and Biological Effects
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
Keywords
geomagnetic storms, depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic depression, hospitalization, seasonal variation, melatonin synthesis, serotonin, calcium channel activity, cell membrane permeability, geomagnetic disturbances
MeSH terms
Bipolar Disorder, Circadian Rhythm, Depressive Disorder, Female, Geology, Hospitalization, Humans, Magnetics, Male, Melatonin, Phototherapy, Pineal Gland, Seasons, Sex Factors, Incidence, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Geological Phenomena

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